rance, and
parting with M. de Rambouillet at the door of our lodging--not without
many protestations of esteem on his part and of gratitude on that of
M. de Rosny--mounted to the first-floor in single file and in silence,
which I was determined not to be the first to break.

Doubtless M. de Rosny knew my thoughts, for, speedily dismissing Maignan
and Simon, who were in waiting, he turned to me without preface. 'Come,
my friend,' he said, laying his hand on my shoulder and looking me in
the face in a way which all but disarmed me at once, 'do not let us
misunderstand one another. You think you have cause to be angry with me.
I cannot suffer that, for the King of Navarre had never greater need of
your services than now.'

'You have played me an unworthy trick, sir,'I answered, thinking he
would cozen me with fair speeches.

'Tut, tut!' he replied. 'You do not understand.'

'I understand well enough,' I answered, with bitterness, 'that, having
done the King of Navarre's work, he would now be rid of me.'

'Have I not told you,' M. de Rosny replied, betraying for the first time
some irritation, 'that he has greater need of your services than ever?
Come, man, be reasonable, or, better still, listen to me.' And turning
from me, he began to walk up and down the room, his hands behind him.
'the King of France--I want to make it as clear to you as possible--'
he said, 'cannot make head against the League without help, and,
willy-nilly, must look for it to the Huguenots whom he has so long
persecuted. The King of Navarre, their acknowledged leader, has offered
that help; and so, to spite my master, and prevent a combination so
happy for France, has M. de Turenne, who would fain raise the faction he
commands to eminence, and knows well how to make his profit out of the
dissensions of his country. Are you clear so far, sir?'

I assented. I was becoming absorbed in spite of myself.

'Very well,' he resumed. 'This evening--never did anything fall out more
happily than Rambouillet's meeting with me--he is a good man!--I
have brought the king to this: that if proof of the selfish nature of
Turenne's designs be laid before him he will hesitate no longer. That
proof exists. A fortnight ago it was here; but it is not here now.'

'That is unlucky!' I exclaimed. I was so much interested in his story,
as well as flattered by the confidence he was placing in me, that my
ill-humour vanished. I went and stood with my shoulder against the